Sahara Lumber

Richard Desjardins' song 'Sahara Lumber' is a powerful critique of societal and environmental decay, wrapped in a tapestry of vivid imagery and biting sarcasm. The song opens with a chaotic scene, likening societal disorder to a grenade in an orchestra and a bomb at a garden party. This sets the tone for a narrative that explores the consequences of greed, corruption, and environmental neglect. The mention of 'Mister' and the Dow Jones hints at the culpability of the wealthy and powerful in this chaos, while the fear and panic of the 'heiresses' underscore the widespread impact of these actions.

Desjardins uses the metaphor of 'Sahara Lumber' to symbolize the barren and desolate state of the world, a result of excessive exploitation and mismanagement. The lyrics touch on various themes, including the exploitation of natural resources ('the marina was mined'), the imbalance of wealth ('money to those who already have it'), and the loss of innocence and purity ('my sister to the children of dogs'). The repeated refrain 'Sahara Lumber' serves as a grim reminder of the irreversible damage being done to the planet and society.

The song also delves into the hypocrisy and detachment of those in power. The line 'you have the sense of business, the flair, the timing of thieves' criticizes the opportunistic nature of the elite, while 'we have the instinct of mammals and the habit of pain' highlights the resilience and suffering of the common people. Desjardins contrasts the cold, calculated actions of the powerful with the raw, emotional responses of the oppressed, painting a stark picture of a world on the brink of collapse. The closing lines, with their call to prayer at 'Notre-Dame-des-Horreurs' and the play on words 'terre' and 'terreur,' encapsulate the song's message: the earth is in a state of terror, and it is time for a reckoning.